The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has announced that Nigeria will likely witness its first astronomical lunar crescent on February 28, 2025. According to Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA, the crescent has been scientifically calculated to occur at exactly 1:45 A.M. West African Time.
Ale explained that the predicted time, known as the Crescent Zero Hour, represents the earliest moment the crescent can be seen under perfect atmospheric conditions using optical instruments such as binoculars or telescopes. However, he added that the crescent will become visible to the naked eye later in the evening between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM across various locations in Nigeria.
Cities and Their Expected Lunar Crescent Visibility Time
According to NASRDA, Maiduguri will be the first city in Nigeria to witness the young lunar crescent, appearing from 6:17 PM to 6:48 PM. This will be followed by Yola in Adamawa State, where the crescent will be visible from 6:21 PM to 6:51 PM. Damaturu in Yobe State will experience the crescent from 6:22 PM to 6:53 PM. Other northern cities such as Kano, Katsina, Jos, and Kaduna will see the crescent between 6:38 PM and 7:12 PM.
Ale provided a breakdown of the expected sunset and moonset times in some of these locations:
- Kano: 6:35 PM – 7:12 PM
- Katsina: 6:38 PM – 7:15 PM
- Jos: 6:35 PM – 7:11 PM
- Kaduna: 6:40 PM – 7:17 PM
In southern Nigeria, Enugu will witness the lunar crescent from 6:42 PM to 7:32 PM, with sunset and moonset occurring at 6:42 PM and 7:18 PM, respectively. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is expected to see the first lunar crescent between 6:44 PM and 7:15 PM, with sunset and moonset happening at 6:44 PM and 7:20 PM. The final cities to witness the event will be Lagos and Abeokuta, where the crescent will be visible between 6:59 PM and 7:30 PM.
NASRDA Advises on Best Viewing Conditions for Lunar Crescent
Dr. Ale stated that for a clear sighting of the lunar crescent, observers should ideally use optical aids where necessary and position themselves in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset. He advised sky watchers to ensure they observe under clear atmospheric conditions for the best experience.
He emphasized that the scientific report provided by NASRDA ensures precise predictions of the lunar crescent’s appearance across various locations in Nigeria. These calculations are particularly relevant for individuals and groups who rely on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.
NASRDA also encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious organizations to take advantage of the findings. Anyone requiring additional data for further analysis has been directed to visit the official NASRDA website at www.nasrda.gov.ng.
Importance of the Lunar Crescent in Science and Religion
Dr. Bonaventure Okere, Director of the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSSA), an activity center of NASRDA, highlighted the significance of the first lunar crescent. He explained that the appearance of the new crescent marks the first stage of the moon cycle, which is important in both astronomy and religion.
According to Okere, the Islamic faith relies heavily on moon phases for religious observances. The new lunar crescent plays a crucial role in determining the start of religious practices, such as the beginning of the Ramadan fast.
He stated, “The Islamic religion uses moon phases for their Islamic rites, but astronomers study the cycle of the rising and setting of the moon to determine moon days, which is usually 28 days.”
He further explained that astronomers use the moon cycle to generate the lunar calendar and understand the visible portions of the moon at different times. The data provided by NASRDA not only supports religious practices but also contributes to scientific knowledge in space research and celestial observations.
